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M J Welsh

Publications and source records attributed to M J Welsh.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Regulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel by MgATP.

These results begin to indicate that nucleoside triphosphates directly regulate CFTR Cl- channels by interacting with the NBDs. Thus, they may begin to explain why some CF-associated mutations in the NBDs may block Cl- channel function in the epithelia of CF patients. These results also suggest that the intracellular ATP/ADP ratio may be more important than the absolute concentration of ATP in regulating CFTR. Thus, changes in the metabolic state of the cell that alter the ATP-ADP ratio may regulate CFTR Cl- channel activity in vivo. These observations suggest that CFTR might be regulated in the physiologic range of nucleotides. Such a mechanism of regulation could provide a mechanism for coupling the metabolic status of the cell and the activity of the Na-K ATPase with the rate of transepithelial Cl- secretion as regulated by apical membrane CFTR Cl- channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Partial purification of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

We have investigated several purification strategies for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) based on its structural similarity to other proteins of the traffic ATPase/ABC transporter family. Recombinant CFTR expressed in heterologous cells was readily solubilized by digitonin and initially separated from the majority of other cellular proteins by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. CFTR, with two predicted nucleotide binding domains, bound avidly to several triazine dye columns, although elution with MgATP, MgCl2, or high ionic strength buffers was inefficient. CFTR did not bind to either ATP or ADP coupled to agarose. Because CFTR is a glycoprotein we investigated its binding to lectin columns. CFTR bound readily to wheat germ agglutinin, but poorly to Lens culinaris agglutinin. CFTR was enriched 9-10 times when eluted from wheat germ agglutinin with N-acetylglucosamine. This enrichment was tripled if lectin chromatography followed sucrose gradient centrifugation. Our results suggest the combination of sucrose density gradient centrifugation and lectin chromatography would be a satisfactory approach to initial purification of CFTR expressed in heterologous cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Regulation by ATP and ADP of CFTR chloride channels that contain mutant nucleotide-binding domains.

Regulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel is unusual in that phosphorylated channels require cytosolic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to open. The CFTR contains two regions predicted to be nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs); site-directed mutations in each NBD have now been shown to alter the relation between ATP concentration and channel activity, which indicates that ATP stimulates the channel by direct interaction with both NBDs. The two NBDs are not, however, functionally equivalent: adenosine diphosphate (ADP) competitively inhibited the channel by interacting with NBD2 but not by interacting with NBD1. Four cystic fibrosis-associated mutations in the NBDs reduced absolute chloride channel activity, and one mutation also decreased the potency with which ATP stimulates channel activity. Dysfunction of ATP-dependent stimulation through the NBDs may be the basis for defective CFTR chloride channel activity in some cystic fibrosis patients.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Isolation, characterization, and localization of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor protein in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) induces Ca2+ oscillations and waves in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Microsomes from oocytes exhibit high-affinity binding for Ins(1,4,5)P3, and demonstrate Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced Ca2+ release. The Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor (InsP3R) was purified from oocyte microsomes as a large tetrameric complex and shown to have a monomer molecular mass of 256 kDa, compared with 273 kDa for the brain InsP3R. Binding to the oocyte receptor is highly specific for Ins(1,4,5)P3 and is inhibited by heparin (IC50, 2 micrograms/ml). Immunoblot analysis revealed that an antibody against the C-terminal sequence of the brain receptor recognized the oocyte receptor. These results, in addition to the difference in pattern obtained after limited proteolysis, suggest that the oocyte InsP3R is a new shorter isoform of the mammalian brain type I InsP3R. Immunofluorescence experiments indicated the presence of the InsP3R in the cortical layer and the perinuclear endoplasmic reticulum of the oocyte. However, immunological and biochemical experiments did not reveal the presence of the ryanodine receptor. The presence of an InsP3R and the absence of a ryanodine receptor support the importance of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in Ca2+ handling by oocytes and particularly in the induction of Ca2+ oscillations and waves.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Processing of mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator is temperature-sensitive.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a plasma membrane Cl- channel regulated by cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation and by intracellular ATP. Mutations in CFTR cause cystic fibrosis partly through loss of cAMP-regulated Cl- permeability from the plasma membrane of affected epithelia. The most common mutation in cystic fibrosis is deletion of phenylalanine at residue 508 (CFTR delta F508) (ref. 10). Studies on the biosynthesis and localization of CFTR delta F508 indicate that the mutant protein is not processed correctly and, as a result, is not delivered to the plasma membrane. These conclusions are consistent with earlier functional studies which failed to detect cAMP-stimulated Cl- channels in cells expressing CFTR delta F508 (refs 16, 17). Chloride channel activity was detected, however, when CFTR delta F508 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes, Vero cells and Sf9 insect cells. Because oocytes and Sf9 cells are typically maintained at lower temperatures than mammalian cells, and because processing of nascent proteins can be sensitive to temperature, we tested the effect of temperature on the processing of CFTR delta F508. Here we show that the processing of CFTR delta F508 reverts towards that of wild-type as the incubation temperature is reduced. When the processing defect is corrected, cAMP-regulated Cl- channels appear in the plasma membrane. These results reconcile previous contradictory observations and suggest that the mutant most commonly associated with cystic fibrosis is temperature-sensitive.

3T3 Cells↗

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channels in planar lipid bilayers.

Membrane vesicles, prepared from mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing high levels of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), were fused with Mueller-Rudin planar lipid bilayers. Upon addition of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP, low conductance Cl(-)-selective ion channels were observed in 10 of 16 experiments. The channels had a linear current-voltage relationship and a unitary conductance of approximately 6.5 pS. The channels were more permeable to Cl- than to I- and showed no appreciable time-dependent voltage activation. In contrast, addition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP to lipid bilayers fused with vesicles prepared from mock transfected (n = 14) cells failed to activate Cl- channels. These data support the conclusion that CFTR is a Cl- channel. They indicate that it can be reconstituted in a planar lipid bilayer and that the biophysical and regulatory properties are very similar to those observed in the native cell membrane. These data also argue against the requirement for loosely associated factors for regulation or function of the channel.

3T3 Cells↗

Inositol trisphosphate is required for the propagation of calcium waves in Xenopus oocytes.

Stimuli which act through the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) often increase free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a localized subcellular area. Actively propagated Ca2+ waves then extend this focal Ca2+ signal to other parts of the cell. To understand how cells may control the spatial distribution of Ca2+, we investigated the mechanism by which Ca2+ waves propagate through the cytoplasm of Xenopus oocytes. Heparin, which inhibits the binding of InsP3 to its receptor, prevented the migration of Ca2+ waves induced by a poorly metabolized InsP3 (InsP3S3). This result suggested that Ca2+ waves move through the cell via the serial release of Ca2+ from InsP3-sensitive stores. Interventions which caused a localized increase in [Ca2+]i without elevations of InsP3 did not trigger Ca2+ waves. In the presence of a Ins-P3S3, however, endogenously released or locally injected Ca2+ elicited Ca2+ waves. A cooperative interaction between Ca2+ and InsP3 may therefore be responsible for the propagation of Ca2+ waves.

Aniline Compounds↗

The second messenger pathway for germ cell-mediated stimulation of Sertoli cells.

Treatment of cultured rat Sertoli cells with FSH or dibutyryl cAMP for 30 min resulted in phosphorylation of the same Sertoli cell proteins. Different Sertoli cell proteins were phosphorylated after calcium ionophore A23187 and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment. A23187 stimulated the phosphorylation of hsp27, while TPA alone had no effect. TPA plus A23187 resulted in phosphorylation of a 14 kDa protein, in addition to hsp27. The effect of TPA plus A23187 was identical to that of germ cells on Sertoli cell protein phosphorylation. FSH-stimulated cAMP production by Sertoli cells was reduced by prior exposure of Sertoli cells to germ cells. The results indicate that germ cells stimulate Sertoli cells by the inositol trisphosphate/diacylglycerol mediated second messenger pathway. The results also suggest that the germ cell-activated pathway interacts within Sertoli cells to modulate Sertoli cell response to FSH.

Animals↗

Characteristics of a cetacean morbillivirus isolated from a porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).

A virus isolated from a porpoise during the 1988 seal epizootic was shown to be a morbillivirus. In order to determine the relationship of the virus to phocine distemper virus (PDV) a battery of monoclonal antibodies raised against canine distemper virus (CDV), PDV or the porpoise isolate were assessed for their ability to bind to CDV, PDV or porpoise virus epitopes in indirect immunofluorescence assays and ELISAs. The porpoise isolate contained several unique epitopes and several epitopes present on CDV and PDV were absent on the porpoise isolate. The data presented in this study indicate that the porpoise virus is an antigenically distinct morbillivirus and as such has been tentatively named as delphinoid distemper virus (DDV).

Animals↗

Abnormal localization of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in primary cultures of cystic fibrosis airway epithelia.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a membrane glycoprotein that forms Cl- channels. Previous work has shown that when some CF-associated mutants of CFTR are expressed in heterologous cells, their glycosylation is incomplete. That observation led to the hypothesis that such mutants are not delivered to the plasma membrane where they can mediate Cl- transport. Testing this hypothesis requires localization of CFTR in nonrecombinant cells and a specific determination of whether CFTR is in the apical membrane of normal and CF epithelia. To test the hypothesis, we used primary cultures of airway epithelia grown on permeable supports because they polarize and express the CF defect in apical Cl- permeability. Moreover, their dysfunction contributes to disease. We developed a semiquantitative assay, using nonpermeabilized epithelia, an antibody directed against an extracellular epitope of CFTR, and large (1 microns) fluorescent beads which bound to secondary antibodies. We observed specific binding to airway epithelia from non-CF subjects, indicating that CFTR is located in the apical membrane. In contrast, there was no specific binding to the apical membrane of CF airway epithelia. These data were supported by qualitative studies using confocal microscopy: the most prominent immunostaining was in the apical region of non-CF cells and in cytoplasmic regions of CF cells. The results indicate that CFTR is either missing from the apical membrane of these CF cells or it is present at a much reduced level. The data support the proposed defective delivery of some CF-associated mutants to the plasma membrane and explain the lack of apical Cl- permeability in most CF airway epithelia.

3T3 Cells↗

Effect of ATP-sensitive K+ channel regulators on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride currents.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a Cl- channel that is regulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and by intracellular ATP. Intracellular ATP also regulates a class of K+ channels that have a distinct pharmacology: they are inhibited by sulfonylureas and activated by a novel class of drugs called K+ channel openers. In search of modulators of CFTR Cl- channels, we examined the effect of sulfonylureas and K+ channel openers on CFTR Cl- currents in cells expressing recombinant CFTR. The sulfonylureas, tolbutamide and glibenclamide, inhibited whole-cell CFTR Cl- currents at half-maximal concentrations of approximately 150 and 20 microM, respectively. Inhibition by both agents showed little voltage dependence and developed slowly; > 90% inhibition occurred 3 min after adding 1 mM tolbutamide or 100 microM glibenclamide. The effect of tolbutamide was reversible, while that of glibenclamide was not. In contrast to their activating effect on K+ channels, the K+ channel openers, diazoxide, BRL 38227, and minoxidil sulfate inhibited CFTR Cl- currents. Half-maximal inhibition was observed at approximately 250 microM diazoxide, 50 microM BRL 38227, and 40 microM minoxidil sulfate. The rank order of potency for inhibition of CFTR Cl- currents was: glibenclamide < BRL 38227 approximately equal to minoxidil sulfate > tolbutamide > diazoxide. Site-directed mutations of CFTR in the first membrane-spanning domain and second nucleotide-binding domain did not affect glibenclamide inhibition of CFTR Cl- currents. However, when part of the R domain was deleted, glibenclamide inhibition showed significant voltage dependence. These agents, especially glibenclamide, which was the most potent, may be of value in identifying CFTR Cl- channels. They or related analogues might also prove to be of value in treating diseases such as diarrhea, which may involve increased activity of the CFTR Cl- channel.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

InsP3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 act in synergy to stimulate influx of extracellular Ca2+ in Xenopus oocytes.

To investigate the role of D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] in the regulation of Ca2+ influx, we injected inositol phosphates into Xenopus oocytes and measured Ca(2+)-gated Cl- current to assay intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). To assess Ca2+ influx, we removed extracellular Ca2+ or added the inorganic Ca2+ channel blocker Mn2+ to the extracellular bath and measured the resulting change in Cl- current. Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 did not cause Ca2+ influx when injected alone or when preceded by an injection of Ca2+. In contrast, Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 stimulated Ca2+ influx when injected after the poorly metabolized inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) analogues D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate [Ins(1,4,5)P3S3] or D-myo-inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(2,4,5)P3]. These results indicate that Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 is not sufficient to stimulate Ca2+ influx but acts in synergy with InsP3s to cause Ca2+ influx. We also studied the effect of Ca2+ influx on the immediate metabolism of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] in single oocytes. Ca2+ influx shunted the metabolism of Ins(1,4,5)P3 toward the formation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 and away from D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate [Ins(1,4)P2]. These results suggest that there is a positive feedback regulatory mechanism in which Ca2+ influx stimulates Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 production and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 stimulates further Ca2+ influx.

Animals↗

Chloride channels in the apical membrane of normal and cystic fibrosis airway and intestinal epithelia.

Cl- channels located in the apical membrane of secretory epithelia play a key role in epithelial fluid and electrolyte transport. Dysfunction of one of these channels, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), causes the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). We review here the properties and regulation of the different types of Cl- channels that have been reported in airway and intestinal epithelia. We begin by describing the properties of the CFTR Cl- channel and then use those properties as a point of reference. We focused particularly on the evidence that localizes specific types of Cl- channel to the apical membrane. With that background, we assess the biological function of various Cl- channels in airway and intestinal epithelia.

Animals↗

Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin permeabilizes the basolateral membrane of a Cl(-)-secreting epithelium.

Apical membrane ion channels control the rate of transepithelial electrolyte transport in many epithelia. One way to study such channels in their native location, the apical membrane, is to eliminate the resistance of the basolateral membrane to ion flow. Then the opening and closing of apical channels can be measured as a transepithelial current, free from the influence of basolateral membrane transport processes. To develop a method that would permeabilize an epithelial basolateral membrane to ions and nucleotides, we examined the effect of Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin on the Cl(-)-secreting T84 epithelial cell line. alpha-Toxin permeabilized the basolateral, but not the apical membrane to Cl-, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), and GTP. However, the integrity of signal-transduction pathways, the regulation of apical membrane Cl- channels, and the transepithelial resistance remained intact. In the course of examining the effect of ATP, we found that the basolateral membrane contained purinergic receptors that both stimulated Cl- secretion on their own and, at high concentrations, inhibited cAMP-induced Cl- secretion. These effects of extracellular ATP were eliminated after prolonged exposure to ATP, suggesting receptor downregulation. In addition, depletion of intracellular ATP following permeabilization prevented cAMP-dependent regulation of apical Cl- channels. We conclude that alpha-toxin may prove to be a useful tool for studying the regulation and properties of apical membrane ion channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Localization of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in chloride secretory epithelia.

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To further our understanding of CFTR's function and regulation, we used confocal immunofluorescence microscopy to localize CFTR in cells stained with monoclonal antibodies against different regions of the protein: the R (regulatory) domain (M13-1), the COOH terminus (M1-4), and a predicted extracellular domain (M6-4). All three antibodies immunoprecipitated a 155-170-kD polypeptide from cells expressing CFTR. Each antibody stained HeLa and 3T3 cells expressing recombinant CFTR, but not cells lacking endogenous CFTR: HeLa, NIH-3T3, and endothelial cells. For localization studies, we used epithelial cell lines that express endogenous CFTR and have a cAMP-activated apical Cl- permeability: T84, CaCo2, and HT29 clone 19A. Our results demonstrate that CFTR is an apical membrane protein in these epithelial cells because (a) staining for CFTR resembled staining for several apical membrane markers, but differed from staining for basolateral membrane proteins; (b) thin sections of cell monolayers show staining at the apical membrane; and (c) M6-4, an extracellular domain antibody, stained the apical surface of nonpermeabilized cells. Our results do not exclude the possibility that CFTR is also located beneath the apical membrane. Increasing intracellular cAMP levels did not change the apical membrane staining pattern for CFTR. Moreover, insertion of channels by vesicle fusion with the apical membrane was not required for cAMP-mediated increases in apical membrane Cl- conductance. These results indicate that CFTR is located in the apical plasma membrane of Cl(-)-secreting epithelia, a result consistent with the conclusion that Cl TR is an apical membrane chloride channel.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

cAMP stimulates bicarbonate secretion across normal, but not cystic fibrosis airway epithelia.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate stimulates chloride (Cl-) secretion across airway epithelia. To determine whether cAMP also stimulates HCO3- secretion, we studied cultured canine and human airway epithelial cells bathed in a HCO3-/CO2-buffered, Cl(-)-free solution. Addition of forskolin stimulated an increase in short-circuit current that was likely a result of bicarbonate secretion because it was inhibited by a HCO3(-)-free solution, by addition of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, or by mucosal addition of the anion channel blocker, diphenylamine 2-carboxylate. The current was dependent on Na+ because it was inhibited by removal of Na+ from the submucosal bathing solution, by addition of the Na+ pump inhibitor, ouabain, or by addition of amiloride (1 mM) to the submucosal solution. An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ produced by addition of a Ca2+ ionophore also stimulated short-circuit current. These data suggest that cAMP and Ca2+ stimulate HCO3- secretion across airway epithelium, and suggest that HCO3- leaves the cell across the apical membrane via conductive pathways. These results may explain previous observations that the short-circuit current across airway epithelia was not entirely accounted for by the sum of Na+ absorption and Cl- secretion. The cAMP-induced secretory response was absent in cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelial cells, although Ca(2+)-stimulated secretion was intact. This result suggests that HCO3- exist at the apical membrane is through the Cl- channel that is defectively regulated in CF epithelia. These results suggest the possibility that a defect in HCO3- secretion may contribute to the pathophysiology of CF pulmonary disease.

Animals↗